Venue 13 is a welcome alternative to Orlando nightlife

Review

The music is the main attraction at Venue 13, where club goers… (MikeAnthony Moffa, Special…)

July 14, 2011|By Kelly Fitzpatrick, BARS & CLUBS

Only at the weekly Venue 13 theme night at 11/12 Lounge in Orlando can you hear someone compliment another person on the gas mask they're wearing.

It was the first night of F.R.E.A.K. Fest, the goth, retro wave and industrial-themed night at 11/12 Lounge stretched out past its usual Friday time slot — into Saturday and Sunday. Outlandish attire was the norm.

Within 15 minutes of arriving I saw someone dressed like one of the creepier extras in a "Pirates of the Caribbean" flick — prosthetics and all. There were also spikes (as in hairstyles and jewelry), costume makeup and lots of black clothing. And when my friend Sandra saw the guy with the gas mask, she wasn't surprised — she thought it was cool and let him know it.

Not everyone was dressed up. I wore jeans and a low-cut blouse and didn't feel out of place. But just in case I wanted to blend in a bit, there was a body painter at the club.

But I didn't need to change my appearance. The crowd was some of the nicest bunch I've encountered at a club in this town in a long time.

Normally a sports bar with different themed nights during the week, 11/12 Lounge started hosting Venue 13 at the beginning of this year.

And, the music is the star of the show.

Former Visage DJ Paul Vaine and his wife, Tina, are the brains behind the night. They first tried a similar night at the now-closed Lyrica but moved it to 11/12 Lounge after issues with Lyrica's management. Vaine, along with DJ Stefan of the now-defunct Necropolis night at Independent Bar, and DJ Aeron spin everything from Bauhaus to Duran Duran to Front 242. There are two dance floors, one in the main bar (mainly goth and retro '80s) and another that opens in the back sports bar at 11 p.m. (with electronic body music).

I love how 11/12 transforms from sports bar into a full-fledged club at night. Strobes, dance lights and a fog machine take over the space. Cloth drapes separate the dance floor from the main bar, making the club appear larger. There are booths throughout, with ample seating around the main bar. Best of all: There is no VIP charge to sit if you need a break from the dancing.

Smokingis a no-no in the club — again, this is also a bar that serves food. But there is a large courtyard out back where folks can light up — and many do.

The club has the feel of the old Barbarella in downtown Orlando, when it encompassed the back courtyard and the space where Eye Spy is now.

Drink specials include two-for-one wells until midnight, two-for-one flavored vodka cocktails after midnight and $5 you-call-it shots all night. To stay in theme, you can try the Death's Door whiskey — but make sure to stay away from the fire juggler out in the courtyard if you do — stuff is scary strong. The gin was a better choice.

By midnight both dance floors (and the area around them) were packed. Not many clubs are brave enough to stray from the regimented Top 40 that brings out the masses.

I'm glad the folks at 11/12 have — it's definitely working for them (and me).